“Green Lantern” is the latest superhero film to fly into movie theaters this summer. The film adaptation of the popular DC Comics character is an ambitious space odyssey, but ultimately falls flat because of a disjointed script and semi-compelling storyline.
“Green Lantern” is the latest superhero film to fly into movie theaters this summer.
The film adaptation of the popular DC Comics character is an ambitious space odyssey, but ultimately falls flat because of a disjointed script and semi-compelling storyline.
Ryan Reynolds (“The Proposal” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) portrays Hal Jordan, a charming yet brash test pilot who is tasked with protecting the universe.
A charismatic Reynolds isn’t disappointing as the emerald green guardian. He handles the script well; the problem is the script didn’t have much to offer.
On the superhero movie spectrum, “Green Lantern” gravitates more toward the utter cheesiness of the CGI-laden “Spiderman.”
“Green Lantern” begins an intergalactic fight between planetary peacekeeper Abin Sur (portrayed by Temuera Morrison) and the tentacled villain Parallax, a former lantern who went mad with power.
A badly injured Abin flees to Earth to bestow his ring and its powers to — guess who — Hal.
Hal is then quickly whisked off to the outer edges of the universe, where he meets a legion of other lanterns, including a fishlike Tomar-Re (voiced by Geoffrey Rush).
Being the only human among the group of lanterns, Hal is knocked down a notch as he goes through Green Lantern bootcamp. The power of the ring is only as strong as your imagination, and that is a problem for Hal.
This leads Hal to doubt his superhero qualifications and returns to Earth filled with self-doubt.
In the midst of this muddled storyline, nerdy scientist Hector Hammond (portrayed by Peter Sarsgaard) is asked by the government to lead the autopsy of Abin Sur.
Hector becomes infected with Parallax’s DNA during the autopsy. He develops yellow eyes, a bulging forehead and a rage-filled heart. It’s a hard role, but Sarsgaard pulls it off well.
Blake Lively (“Gossip Girl”) portrays a doe-eyed Carol Ferris, the daughter of areospace mogul Carl Ferris and the Green Lantern’s love interest.
Tim Robbins, who portrays Hector’s father, and Angela Bassett as Dr. Amanda Waller make an all-too-brief appearance in the film.
Their abilities are wasted in a slow storyline.
It has been reported that Warner Bros. spent north of $200 million to produce the film, which is rich in visual effects, but falls flat on its face when it comes to the plot.
Fans will want to stay through the credits to watch a hidden scene alluding to the plot of the film’s sequel.
Directed by Martin Campbell. 105 minutes.
Two-and-a-half stars.
